IU Bloomington hosts Fulbright international teachers program

Aug. 21, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Seventeen teachers from nine countries will spend the fall 2015 semester at Indiana University Bloomington as part of the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program, which provides opportunities for international teachers to study in the U.S., observe classes and complete projects pertaining to their field of inquiry.

“This marks the seventh year of the program and the second consecutive year in which Indiana University has been chosen as host site,” said Patricia Kubow, director of the Center for International Education, Development and Research and professor in educational leadership and policy studies and curriculum and instruction. “Only one U.S. institution is selected yearly to host these teachers, and CIEDR is pleased to have been chosen to offer this prestigious program.”

This year’s cohort of Fulbright Distinguished Teachers are from Botswana, Chile, Finland, India, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan. While in Bloomington they will audit two IU graduate-level courses focused on educational content and pedagogy; observe, conduct and team-teach workshops in local schools for U.S. teachers and students; meet regularly with IU School of Education faculty members for research guidance; and design and complete inquiry projects such as curriculum units, research papers or multimedia presentations.

The Fulbright Distinguished Teachers will take part in weekly school visits at Bloomington High School North and University Elementary School in Bloomington. They will observe teaching and learning at Christel House Academy in Indianapolis; Columbus Signature Academy Fodrea Campus and New Tech Campus in Columbus, Ind.; and University of Chicago Lab School in Chicago.

The themes for inquiry projects, teachers and their home countries include:

Kubow is principal investigator and program director for the program, while Jacob Butler is program coordinator, Jennifer Douglas is school coordinator and Christi Jones is budget administrator. Also assisting for IU are Cary Buzzelli, professor in curriculum and instruction, and doctoral students Evan Mickey, Ozlem Erden, Amara Stuehling and Rhonda Gambill.

The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program is one of several international education programs established in 1946 under legislation sponsored by U.S. Sen. J. William Fulbright of Arkansas.

Center for International Education, Development and Research at IU Bloomington promotes international scholarship of engagement through cross-cultural educational research and development to improve education and social conditions in the U.S. and abroad. Founded in 1968, the center has expanded its focus from improving social studies education to helping schools, universities and communities through transnational research and development.